Another school year is coming to a end, and another group of seniors eagerly awaits the formal finale of their high school careers.

Derry Area High School will be the first area school to hand out diplomas, with 187 students scheduled to graduate tonight. Ligonier Valley will graduate 138 students on Friday night, and Greater Latrobe will hold its commencement on June 11.

DERRY AREAHIGH SCHOOL

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: High school stadium, 982 Chestnut St., Derry; in case of inclement weather, middle school auditorium, with admission by ticket only

Speakers: Superintendent David Welling, high school principal Kathy Perry, history teacher Jeffrey Kelly

Student council president and Students Against Destructive Decisions vice president, Martin earned a varsity letter in each of her four years on the cross-country team and served as captain for two years. She participated for three years on the track and field team, earning two varsity letters, spent one season on the swim team, earning a varsity letter, and four years as a cheerleader with one year as captain.

A member of Derry's Interact Club, Chorus and Mock Trial team, she volunteered with Santa's Workshop and the Interact Club Bachelor Auction.

She has worked for three years as a lifeguard and concession stand worker at Derry Community Pool.

Martin will attend the University of Rochester, majoring in neuroscience and epidemiology, and plans to attend medical school with the goal of pursuing a career as a neurosurgeon or medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Richards served as class treasurer and Spanish Honor Society president and was a member of the school's Choir Leadership Team.

She lent her musical talents to the concert band, choir, vocal ensemble, pit orchestra and marching band and served as drum major and participated in majorettes.

Active in her church's youth group, handbell choir and church musical, she earned her Gold Award in Girl Scouts and volunteered her time for Relay for Life, her church nursery, church musical and set construction, Peace by Piece Quilt Shop volunteer, church dinners, church mission trip and Faith In Action.

Brubaker is vice president of the Prayer and Worship Club and a member of the National Honor Society and French Club. She volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and tutors in the junior high math lab and at Baggaley Elementary School.

In addition to being active in Victorious Life Church Youth Group, she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital and works as a cashier for Chick-fil-A.

Brubacker plans to attend Geneva College, majoring in biology and chemistry with the aim of later attending medical school.

• Jaden Johnston, salutatorian

Vice president of the National Honor Society and a member of the National Art Honor Society, Johnston serves as a tutor for English, French and math and participates in the Continental Mathematics League.

He has worked or volunteered at Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network, as a vacation Bible school teacher, a continental breakfast manager and Seton Hill workshop assistant.

He plans to attend the University of Arizona, majoring in physics and astronomy and minoring in French.

LIGONIER VALLEYHIGH SCHOOL

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Weller Field, Fairield Street, Ligonier; in case of inclement weather, high school auditorium, with admission by ticket only

Speakers: Valediction and salutatorian, to be announced; Daniel Palmiscno, senior class president; and L. Jill Hans, deputy secretary for post-secondary and higher education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Ligonier Valley did not release information on its top students before press time.

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